Can dogs have watermelon?

Updated on June 28, 2010

Summer is just around the corner. Along with the long hot days, what comes to mind would be long tall glasses of ice cold drinks and sweet and juicy fruits galore. These are the refreshing treats of summertime. The crunchy, sweet and juicy watermelon is one of the trademarks of summer. Although the fruit is available the whole year round, the sweetest and juiciest watermelons are produced in summer. As expected, families would consume large quantities of this fruit. This summer thirst quencher is approximately 92% water thus it would provide additional water to the body without adding unwanted inches to the waistline. As expected, the dog would want to share with whatever fruit the family is eating. Can dogs have watermelon too? Is this summertime fruit safe for the dog?

Sarah's DogsLearn more about what dogs can and cannot eat. Can your dog have cinnamon, apples, popcorn or even strawberries? Are they safe foods for your dog? Find out here.

Can dogs have watermelon?People enjoying the fruit are common sights during the hot summer days. As expected, the four legged friend will enjoy the fruit as well. Some dogs draw the line at eating fruits. However, family members usually share what they eat with the pet...

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A dog’s eating habits

Any dog owner would tell you that their pets are consummate eaters of anything. Dogs would eat edible and non-edible things. It is not surprising therefore if the dog would not pass up the chance to wrestle with a big round watermelon and eat the rind, the red and sweet juicy flesh, seeds and all.

Watermelon…a natural vitamin supplement

Watermelon is a rich source of vitamins needed by the dog for energy production. This luscious fruit delivers more nutrients because of its low calorie content. Watermelon is a good source of Vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Dog owners wise to the fact that commercial dog foods have lost live whole nutrients during the processing, have supplemented the pet’s diet with vegetables and fruits. These foods that are in their original state contain the vital nutrients and antioxidants necessary in building the dog’s energy and immune system. Premium quality pet foods hyped to be made from human quality ingredients contain synthetic vitamins and minerals that do not provide the pet with the necessary level of nutrition.

Watermelon…an inexpensive antioxidant for the pet

Antioxidant providing foods are necessary not only in human’s diet but in animal’s as well. The red pigment found on the red color of the fruit is lycopene. This antioxidant is also found in tomatoes, strawberries, cherries and in other red fruits and vegetables. Watermelon is an antioxidant powerhouse that has an optimal effect on free radicals. Next to tomatoes, watermelon has the highest amount of lycopene, the antioxidant that has the effect of hampering the cell damaging activities of the free radicals in the body. Lycopene lowers the risk of cancer, heart disease and other canine diseases.

Watermelon’s healthful benefits

The juice of the watermelon will quench the thirst of the pet especially on a very hot summer day. This fruit is an effective natural cleanser of the dog’s teeth. The fruit contains chlorophyll that cleanses the blood and diuretic properties that eliminates excess fluid from the body.

Downside of giving watermelon to the dog

Dogs definitely love this juicy and sweet summer fruit. You can let the dog eat as much as it can without worrying that the dog would gain weight. Watermelon is basically water after all. However, some dog owners have warned against the dog’s consumption of watermelon as the ingested seeds can block the dog’s digestive tract. Moreover, too much watermelon can cause the dog to excrete watery somethings on the other end. Yes, the dog’s watermelon eating spree can result to diarrhea.

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